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Local Halfback Guide

Clayton

Clayton, GA · Pop. 2K

Rabun County escape — lakes, waterfalls, and mountain quiet.

Clayton is the heart of Rabun County in Georgia's northeast corner — Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, Tallulah Gorge, and a one-stoplight downtown that's quietly become one of the South's coolest weekend destinations.

Where Locals Shop

Shopping

Main Street Clayton

White Birch Provisions, art galleries, and the famous Clayton Cafe.

Reeves Hardware

Since 1899 — true general store on Main Street.

Goats on the Roof

Tiger, GA — petting zoo, fudge shop, and gemstone mining (yes, really).

Where Locals Eat

Dining

Fortify Kitchen & Bar

Farm-to-table tasting menus that draw drivers from Atlanta.

Lake Rabun Hotel

1922 lodge dining room with reservations-only Southern menu.

Universal Joint

Old service-station turned burger and beer joint.

The Annual Calendar

Local Events

Rabun County Wine Society Fest

May — North Georgia winery tasting at Lake Burton Club.

Lake Burton Fireworks

July 4 — most legendary lake fireworks display in the region.

Mountain Music & Medicine Show

Monthly bluegrass at the Foxfire Mountain Heritage Center.

Get Outside

Parks & Outdoors

Tallulah Gorge State Park

1,000-ft-deep gorge with rim trails and a suspension bridge.

Lake Burton & Lake Rabun

Two of GA's prettiest mountain lakes with rental marinas.

Plan Your Scouting Trip

Build Your 3-Day Itinerary

Tap items from the guide below to drop them into Day 1, 2, or 3. We’ll save your plan in this browser. Print it or email it to yourself when you’re done.

Pick from the guide
Outdoor
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Outdoor
Lake Burton & Lake Rabun
Dining
Fortify Kitchen & Bar
Dining
Lake Rabun Hotel
Dining
Universal Joint
Event
Rabun County Wine Society Fest
Event
Lake Burton Fireworks
Event
Mountain Music & Medicine Show
Shopping
Main Street Clayton
Shopping
Reeves Hardware
Shopping
Goats on the Roof
Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Hospitals & Care Networks

Healthcare

  • Mountain Lakes Medical Center
  • Northeast Georgia Medical Center (1 hr)
  • Mission Asheville (1.5 hr)
Where Halfbacks Live

Neighborhoods

Lake Burton
Lake Rabun
Kingwood Resort
Sky Valley
Halfback Tip

"Lake Burton homes are six- and seven-figure trophies; for an attainable lake life look at Lake Rabun cabins or Kingwood. Sky Valley sits at 3,500 ft — cool summers, real snow."

Ready to scout Clayton?

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